Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences (Helianthus occidentalis)

Photo: DDennisMCC BY 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Plant Care

Helianthus occidentalis Riddell

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Helianthus occidentalis, the fewleaf sunflower or western sunflower, is a species of sunflower native to the Eastern and Central United States. It grows mostly in the Great Lakes Region and in the Ozarks, with additional populations scattered as far as Massachusetts, Texas, and the Florida Panhandle.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

65–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Plant Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences in full sun (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences (Helianthus occidentalis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Helianthus genus. Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is native to the Eastern and Central United States. Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is also known as Helianthus occidentalis.

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences displays a tall, upright stems with large flower heads growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences produces large, yellow, daisy-like flower heads.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Water a young or newly planted Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Need?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Prefer?

Helianthus occidentalis tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

65–85°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Feed Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Prune Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences in Winter?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to proceedings of the biological society of washington plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences Need?

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is native to the Eastern and Central United States. In cooler regions, grow Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Helianthus genus — compare its care with other Helianthus species on PlantoScan.

Helianthus is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Helianthus Species

Other Helianthus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Helianthus occidentalis Riddell, family Asteraceae (first published in W. J. Med. Phys. Sci. 9: 577 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: DDennisM, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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